Energy Assistance Program
ENERGY ASSISTANCE FAQ
What is the Energy Assistance Program (EAP)?
EAP provides a financial grant to assist with heating costs to households who qualify, crisis intervention for threat of or no heat situations, energy-related repairs for home heating systems and referrals to weatherization and other human service providers.
What are the income requirements?
Income guidelines can be viewed in the Energy Assistance Program section of our website and are available within application.
What is the time period to apply for energy assistance?
Households can apply for energy assistance from October 1 thru June 1.
Do I need to apply every year?
No, not every year, but every heating season. The heating season is from October 1 thru June 1.
Do I need to be in an emergency situation to apply for energy assistance?
Apply as soon as you can. Your application will be processed in the first-in, first-out priority.
Can my utility vendor shut me off?
Yes, unless you take steps under the Cold Weather Rule to protect yourself. You must contact your utility company to apply for protection from having your heat shut off. This is true for all residential customers, including families with young children and senior citizens.
Are all utilities covered?
All utilities must follow some level of the Cold Weather Rule. Rate-regulated utilities (Otter Tail Power and Minnesota Energy Resources) must follow a more expanded rule than municipal utilities and electric cooperatives. There are separate laws that have similar protections for municipal and electric cooperative customers. Delivered fuels, such as fuel oil, propane and wood are not covered.
What is the Cold Weather Rule (CWR)?
The CWR regulates the conditions under which gas and electric utilities may disconnect residential service in the winter (from October 1 to April 15). The CWR requires that ratepayers who have difficulty paying heating bills contact their utility to work out a mutually acceptable payment plan to preserve service. The type of plan available depends on your household income level.
Is Energy Assistance a monthly grant?
No, this is not a monthly grant. Upon your approval into the program, the entire amount you are eligible for will be sent to your selected vendor(s) within four months.
Do you pay my entire bill?
No, the energy assistance grant is not based upon the amount of your bill. The grant amount is determined by your consumption use, household size, and household income.
Should I continue to pay my bill?
Yes, you should always continue to pay your bill on a monthly basis to avoid past-due balances. Ask your vendor about the budget plan to make your payments affordable to your needs.
How long will it take to process my application?
Processing your application can take anywhere from one to four weeks, depending on the number of applications received in the office. Applications are processed in a first-in, first-out priority.
What if I am having problems with my furnace?
If you are having furnace problems, are the homeowner, and have been approved for energy assistance, contact our office immediately. If you have not been approved for energy assistance, you will need to apply and be approved. We are unable to pay for work not authorized by our office.
What is the Energy Assistance Program (EAP)?
EAP provides a financial grant to assist with heating costs to households who qualify, crisis intervention for threat of or no heat situations, energy-related repairs for home heating systems and referrals to weatherization and other human service providers.
What are the income requirements?
Income guidelines can be viewed in the Energy Assistance Program section of our website and are available within application.
What is the time period to apply for energy assistance?
Households can apply for energy assistance from October 1 thru June 1.
Do I need to apply every year?
No, not every year, but every heating season. The heating season is from October 1 thru June 1.
Do I need to be in an emergency situation to apply for energy assistance?
Apply as soon as you can. Your application will be processed in the first-in, first-out priority.
Can my utility vendor shut me off?
Yes, unless you take steps under the Cold Weather Rule to protect yourself. You must contact your utility company to apply for protection from having your heat shut off. This is true for all residential customers, including families with young children and senior citizens.
Are all utilities covered?
All utilities must follow some level of the Cold Weather Rule. Rate-regulated utilities (Otter Tail Power and Minnesota Energy Resources) must follow a more expanded rule than municipal utilities and electric cooperatives. There are separate laws that have similar protections for municipal and electric cooperative customers. Delivered fuels, such as fuel oil, propane and wood are not covered.
What is the Cold Weather Rule (CWR)?
The CWR regulates the conditions under which gas and electric utilities may disconnect residential service in the winter (from October 1 to April 15). The CWR requires that ratepayers who have difficulty paying heating bills contact their utility to work out a mutually acceptable payment plan to preserve service. The type of plan available depends on your household income level.
Is Energy Assistance a monthly grant?
No, this is not a monthly grant. Upon your approval into the program, the entire amount you are eligible for will be sent to your selected vendor(s) within four months.
Do you pay my entire bill?
No, the energy assistance grant is not based upon the amount of your bill. The grant amount is determined by your consumption use, household size, and household income.
Should I continue to pay my bill?
Yes, you should always continue to pay your bill on a monthly basis to avoid past-due balances. Ask your vendor about the budget plan to make your payments affordable to your needs.
How long will it take to process my application?
Processing your application can take anywhere from one to four weeks, depending on the number of applications received in the office. Applications are processed in a first-in, first-out priority.
What if I am having problems with my furnace?
If you are having furnace problems, are the homeowner, and have been approved for energy assistance, contact our office immediately. If you have not been approved for energy assistance, you will need to apply and be approved. We are unable to pay for work not authorized by our office.
